Valuable as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, erosion control and biofuel source. It grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. $8.95. There are few to no pest control products registered on this crop. Hilla Kludze, Bill Deen, and Animesh Dutta. If you're not from Ontario, don't go away! Spring harvest will result in lower yields, but the grass will be of higher quality for combustion. Quality Standards & Organic Certification. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. You are only paying for viable seed. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist. Prior to European settlement, it grew widely across Midwestern US, and was the primary species of the tallgrass prairie. $84.99. The first field scale plantation of switchgrass in Ontario was planted at the farm of Rick Rutley of Berwick, Ontario in 1997. Do you need to frost seed your food plots or grass plantings this year! Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility. High quality grass seed is the foundation of a healthy lawn. Albert Lea Seed is Open for Curbside-Pickup Only.. Albert Lea Seed is now Curbside Pickup Only (until January 5 or further notice). Two harvests possible if used as a forage crop. During the establishment year, native species plantings should be watered when dictated by the weather. Special Notes. The seed is utilized by song and game birds. Approximate seeds per lb: 259,000 Seeding Rate: Expect to apply about 8 lb per acre. Researcher Marlene Paibomesai talks about the use of biomass as an animal feed component. Machine harvest; Standard field-crop equipment including sickle mowers, haybines, and round balers. Switchgrass also responds very well to a May-June sowing 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2″) deep. This warm season bunch forming grass produces attractive conical seed heads which turn a golden brown in fall. Depends on end use. Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass, is a perennial warm season bunchgrass native to North America, where it occurs naturally from 55°N latitude in Canada southwards into the United States and Mexico.Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides. Perennial. Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. It is most commonly found in prairie lowlands, but will grow under wide range of climatic conditions. Order switchgrass seed for winter and bedding cover from the seed specialist experts at Millborn Seeds. The encroachment of woody or non-prairie vegetation is curtailed by fire allowing the prairie community to thrive. Prices listed are based on pure live seed weight, not bulk weight. 2-7 . *Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions. Switchgrass Seeds 8085 (Panicum virgatum). No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. Switchgrass varieties fall into two forms: lowland cultivars, which generally produce more biomass, and upland cultivars, which are preferred for northern areas due to their higher cold tolerance. It does well on marginal soils. It is also an important biomass plant. Performs well on a wide range of soils. 550 seed/gram. Only 5 left in stock - order soon. Switchgrass varieties fall into two forms: lowland cultivars, which generally produce more biomass, and upland cultivars, which are preferred for northern areas due to their … Insects and Invertebrates: Grasshoppers, leafhoppers, aphids, stem borers, wireworms, Diseases: Head smut (Tilletia maclagani), viruses (barley yellow dwarf virus, Panicum moasaic virus). One of the dominant grasses in the tall grass prairie. Only 20 left in stock - order soon. Christensen, Cory A. and Gary Koppenjan, eds., 2010. Ontario research indicates some yield response to nitrogen rates up to 160kg N/ha..  N fertilizer should not be applied during the seeding year because it encourages weed competition. In-Row Spacing Switchgrass, a warm season, vigorous perennial can be found growing throughout the United States. native tall grass prairie; switchgrass; big bluestem; little bluestem; Indian grass; William Dam Seed Company: 279 Hwy 8 Dundas, ON L9H 5E1 Tel: 905-628-6641 Fax: 905-627-1729 Email: info@damseeds.com. The Panicum Virgatum grass, known as the Switch Grass, is native to the Midwestern United States and is most commonly found growing throughout … Place your grass seed mix orders online at your convenience. Since then, the company has become specialized in Forage, Turf, Cover Crops, Silage Corn and Native Seeds. Small seeded crops require good seed to soil contact and finely prepared seedbeds. Although it is very drought tolerant, Switchgrass prefers low, moist ground but can grow on various soil types. Switchgrass also provided good habitat and protection for upland game birds such as pheasant, quail, and grouse. The stem is round, hollow, and usually, has a reddish tint. Quality is determined by the market. Lawn seed store Switchgrass is a perennial grass that creates large volumes of biomass that can be used for straw, animal feed and can be processed into many products. May need to be ground and densified for the biofuels market. Production Life Cycle in Ontario. A thick stand of Switchgrass makes excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover because of its ability to remain in an upright position when covered with snow or ice. Switch Grass. A nurse crop (e.g. Switchgrass is an important element in any tall prairie grass planting. Switchgrass Seed. Switch Grass is planted in the spring using a standard seed drill. Weed control will likely be necessary during the first one to two years as weeds will compete with establishing plants.To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: rust. Switchgreen is a new company seeking producers in Eastern Ontario. Seed Availability for 2012. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to seedhead formation. With the concerns of foreign fuel dependency and greenhouse gas, these bioenergy conservations are necessary and also helps to strengthen our local farm economy. OSC Seeds is the largest wholly Canadian-owned and operated packet seed company, offering a full line of products including over 30 herbs, 250 vegetables, ... From our central facility in Kitchener, Ontario, we can ship from coast to coast across Canada. Some features of this website require Javascript to be enabled for best usibility. This warm season bunch forming grass produces attractive conical seed heads which turn a golden brown in fall. If deficiencies of P and K exist (less than 10 ppm or 22 kg P/ha, less than 90 ppm or 202 kg K/ha), these nutrients can be applied and cultivated into the soil before planting. Switchgrass - Cave-in-Rock (Panicum virgatum), Seed Packet, True Native Seed 3.2 out of 5 stars 15. There is some concern that biomass crops can serve as a refuge for pests of neighbouring crops. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Keep in mind should ideal growing conditions not occur, the seed may go dormant and not germinate until the spring of the following year. This allows nutrients to move back into the roots and leach back into the soil. Images. Feel free to contact Don at Switch Energy to discuss your switch grass seed purchases. Perennial Farm Marketplace Panicum v. Switchgrass is one of the easiest forms of wildlife cover to plant and if planted correctly, switchgrass can be fully established after only 2 Summers of growth! In Southern Ontario farmers are achieving dry matter yields of 7-12 t/ha (3 to 5 tonnes per acre). Switchgrass is a perennial, warm-season grass sod forming grass that is native to much of North America. The plants grow to 1-2 m. and produce sprays of airy seed heads in the fall. greenhouse, storage facility). It is a major component of the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. Switchgrass ‘Cave In Rock’ is a rhizomatous, warm-season bunchgrass that is native throughout most of the U.S. Moisture is required during initial stand establishment. It’s one of the dominant species of the tallgrass prairie, and can grow up to six feet tall. In order to keep our employees safe, and to keep receiving, shipping, and cleaning seed, we are taking some short-term measures to … Consider a controlled burn of prairie species where municipal laws permit. Switchgrass can be grazed during the growing season, cut and baled as hay in the fall, or, if used for biofuel, cut and windrowed in late fall, and harvested in the spring. Then, when switchgrass was recognized as having the … Wildlife food plot seed, Cover crop seed store in Ohio, Organic seed store in Amish Country Merit Seed. Well drained soils of finer texture are preferable to heavy or light soils. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. switchgrass; little bluestem Crop can be stored in Ag-bags if not baled. Plants grow on average to 1.5 m (5′) tall. Switchgrass is an important element in any tall prairie grass planting. Ideal Conditions: Plant 5-6 PLS lbs per acre late May-July or frost seed December-February Many native plants will not bloom until the second year of growth when grown from seed. Switchgrass for Ethanol & Biodiesel Switchgrass is highly adaptive. 9 kg/ha pure live seed (~570,000 seeds/kg). Single harvest. Soil moisture should be available for a month after sowing. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. Most native grasses do best when planted in the fall, between Oct. 15th and Nov. 15th. Switchgrass is a native, perennial, warm-season, sod-forming tall grass. Serving Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, General Seed has been blessed with massive growth and expansion over the … When to frost seed, how to frost seed and why to frost seed clover, switchgrass and brassicas can be found in this video. Pure live seed is a measure of the amount of live seed in a bulk seed lot. Avoid the use of supplemental fertilizer as this encourages weeds at the expense of the native plants. Switchgrass is hardy to Zone 3. At home in almost any soil (except for very wet ones), it serves as an excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover and makes a superb soil stabilizing plant in poor soil sites. Samson, R., 2007. Switchgrass is an important forage plant and potential source of biomass for biofuel production. Seed rates are between 8-9 pounds per acre. Mow to 20 cm (8″) height at least once through the first year of growth should aggressive weeds threaten to take over the planting and again after the fall frosts have reduced annual foliage. switchgrass; Tall Grass Ontario: 659 Exeter Road London, ON N6E 1L3 Tel: 519-873-4631 E-mail: info@tallgrassontario.org. In 1999, with the owner retiring, General Seed was sold to employees. Due to its height and deep root system, switchgrass can become dominant over other natives over time. The crop reaches it's full potential in the third year. It grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. Switchgrass bales will be processed into biomass fuel pellets. Crops grown for biomass can tolerate higher levels of insect and disease damage than those grown for food or ornamental use. Relative humidity (RH): Store in a cool/dry environment. spring wheat) may promote better stand establishment, reduce weed pressure and provide income during the first year. You can grow it from the Rocky Mountains of Canada all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The following year’s growth adapts easily to local climate and soil conditions needing only what nature provides. Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of the United States. With a wide range of products for your home lawn, cottage, park / playground, sports field and roadside, Speare Seeds is pleased to offer grass seeds that are 99.9% weed-free. When one compares a well managed cool season legume, grass pasture to Switchgrass pasture in this location, the majority of the advantages are with the cool season pasture. Tall panic grass, tall prairiegrass, thatchgrass, Close Relatives: Other Panicum species, proso millet, foxtail millet, Uses and Markets: Industrial (fibre, biocomposites, paper, bioenergy), animal feed and bedding. Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, is the most productive and commonly talked about native, warm season grass being considered as a feedstock for alternative fuels and sustainable fiber.There are a number of studies claiming significant energy returns using Switchgrass as a solid fuel in the form of switchgrass pellets or as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. Samson was one of several speakers talking about switchgrass at a recent meeting at the farm of Don Nott, a leader in Ontario switchgrass production, near Clinton. This renewable energy is an efficient bioenergy crop. No established grades. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Mature stands are drought tolerant, but produce less yield under dry conditions. Many farmers prefer Switchgrass to other varieties of native grasses because of the har… Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. 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